, 1887-06-07
AMONG TIE SHAKERS.
AN ELDER GIVES AN ACCOUNT OF
THEIR WORKING HABITS.

Strict Observance of Correct Laws of
Life-DescriptIon of "a "FamIly's'' Daily
Observation-Disclosures and Personal
Cleanllness-Good Old Age.
Frederick Evans, elder of the Shakers
society, now in the 79th year OF his age,
recently visited New York, and gave me an
account Of the health and working habits Of
the members OF his community. He is in
excellent condition, mentally and physically,
md expects to be spared to do much good
wor; in the interest OF humanity. any own
habits" sail the elder, shave been formed
after years OF study and experiment. Forty
years ago l had consumption. By the strict
observance Of correct laws of life, my health
has gradually improved, and was never
better than 1t il at present"
Il understood that there are seventeen
societies, each society consisting OF several
families, all living Sc aratelyf"
"Y,s, each family maintains mn independ.
emit existence, For instance, at Noun Leb-
anon, where I live, in n village about a mile
in length, there are six families, each being a
commrvity in itself, owning property and
managing its own affairs. There are four
elders in each frmily, two males and two
females, and four d~eacons, two males and
two females"
Arc the habits OF the different societies and
families uniformf"
ayes, we endcavor to be as nearly alike as
possible. The Shakers have to pass through
seven cycles Of progress to correspond with
the seven steps to the temple at jerusalem
In the first cycle were the tests in favor OF
purity, o. holding property In common and
against war. During that period we decided
TO abstain from the Use Of liquors. cider and
tobacco. The second cycle is now opening.
In it we are TO abstain altogether from meat,
and more strictly obsei We the laws of by
girne. And, although We have been extcn-
sive purchasers of land, we expect to help the
movement in favor OF land limitation"
"A description of the daily routine of life
at Mount Lebanon would be interesting"
"Hell: in summer we get out OF bed at 4:30
o'clock and attend to our foclss and herds,
Breakfast Is served at 6 O'Clock. 1t consists
Of several kinds Of bread, leavened and un-
leavened, made of fine flour, whole meal,
Indian meal, rye and ~buckwheat; potatoes,
tomatoes, apples, apple sauce, hot apple pie,
tea, coffee and hot water. We dine at noon
all the year round. The bill Of fare includes
vegetable soups, apple dumplings, Indian
meal, rice. vegetables and milk. We have
supper all the year round ut o o'clock. At
that meal we also nave several kinds OF
bead, hot pies, tea, coffee, milk, hot water,
hIple sauce uuu ITulL III season.
1--WE use cream for shortening purposes, In
stead of lard, and cat a very small amount of
butter. A few OF our people sin take flesh,
but we have no beasts killed. At one time it
vast the custom to have slaughtering done,
but we found that 1t had a bad effect
on the children and young people who were
being brought up rs vegetarians. The small
amount of flesh required is procured from
outside. 1t has not included pork for thirty
years. We have great faith in vegetables
and fruits. Every year we stow away about
1903 bushels OF apples to last us through the
winter and spring. The produce of our
gardens includes Strawberries, p'ums, cher
ries, asparagus, peas and beans. or these we
preserve enough in glass jars to supply our
wants until the next season."
d you rest long nfter mealsf'
"Work is resumed SOON after breakfast; but
after dinner we rest for an hour or longer.
Three evenings OF each week are set apart for
religious meetings, thedevotions being associ-
ntel with physical exercise. We have sing
ing twice n week, anil occasionally union or
social meetings. We go to bed at 0 o'clock.
"Wo are very particular in tho matter of
ventilation. Our houses AMI barns breathe
as we do ourselves. The mop boards con-
nected with the halls are perforated. There
are Archimedean ventilntors ON the tops Of
luc nouseS OCT rooms are heated by steam
and b. means Of hot air tubes. Tue floors are
warmed so that the sisters, while ut work,
may not suffer from cold feet."
Are your Eouses well supplied with bath
roomsT'
Yes; VIC have faith in the bath. During
forty years 1 ave bathed every day in either
cold or tepid water"
"Have you succeeded in doing anything to
increase the healthfulness of your sleeping
roomsl-
we believe In having the sleeping rooms
warmed and purified by the sun. The bed
clothes are hung on pegs around the rooms,
and allowed to air until after dinner AS a
simple means Of publication there is nothing
better"
What is the age OF the Oldest member of
your familyF y
"our people live TOT good old age. The
oldest member now is S. years. George
Henry Bassett in Herald of Health.
The BRrbRrous Combination.